Vol. 423 No. 1
245 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications whether there is in existence an emergency plan to cover accidents involving toxic chemicals/material (a) being transported by road (b) being transported by rail (c) in industry; and if so, if he will make a statement on the details of these plans.
A scheme for the co-ordination of emergency services and other organisations in the event of an incident or accident involving dangerous substances in transit by rail has been drawn up by a Committee operating under the aegis of my Department. The committee is representative of relevant Government Departments and agencies and of certain manufacturers using dangerous substances.
The scheme provides a framework for the co-ordination of the actions of the various emergency services. It also provides for the identification of substances, raising the alarm and rendering the site of an accident safe. Under the direction of my Department, exercises are held from time to time to test the operational capability of the scheme and plans are reviewed in the light of the experience gained from these exercises.
Emergency plans for dealing with any other incidents or accidents of the kind mentioned by the Deputy are outside the ambit of my Department's responsibilities.
